A second chance at a first impression
This view has been consistently confirmed over the last few months, as Apollo-Rida continued to sign up prestigious tenants, such as Merck, Nike and Warszawska Grupa Inwestycyjna.
Most recently, Apollo-Rida Poland announced the newest letting in the Warsaw Trade Tower to American Express Poland, the financial services and business travel services provider. American Express will occupy approximately 1,900 sqm of space located on two floors of the building.
When asked about the swift success of the Warsaw Trade Tower, Bartek Włodarski, VP - leasing and marketing division, explained that Apollo-Rida has taken a proactive, professional approach in marketing the opportunities that the building provides and has thus given another option to tenants looking for high-specification space in what is one of Warsaw's key landmark buildings.
"When we bought the building we knew that it was in the shadow of the Warsaw real-estate market because of its previous owner who did not conduct professional marketing in order to rent the space out," he said. "This was a little strange for us because we think the building is a world-class, high-standard product in terms of office space. But it is also proof of the fact that if you are dealing with unprofessional marketing, the product just doesn't sell."
When Apollo-Rida first took over the building it was essentially empty, with professional advisory firm KPMG on its way out as they were not certain what was going to happen to the building.
"When we bought the building KPMG extended the lease and increased the space they occupy to 7,200 sqm," said Włodarski. "We then applied the ABC of marketing by creating a team whose sole responsibility would be to market and lease the building. We entered the Warsaw office market aggressively-we cooperated with all the agencies on the market."
Although the initial plan of filling the building with one large tenant did not work out, the aggressive strategy paid off when WTT signed up several internationally recognized companies. With several other deals under its belt it was suddenly perceived as one of the most serious contenders on the local market.
The 39-floor giant offers floor plates ranging from 900 to 1,200 sqm, and can hardly be considered the right place for small start-ups. As a matter of fact, Włodarski admits that his ideal clients are large corporate tenants who are looking to lease at least one or two floors. Many of these large multinationals are currently located outside the CBD but, with tempting rates and a high-status location, the tables may turn soon enough.
"We've also noticed that the companies that we are looking at as potential tenants feel better in larger, high-spec buildings," Włodarski added.
With the upper edge over many central locations, namely its position on Towarowa, the building is close enough to the center but at the same time removed from Warsaw's most congested thoroughfares. This location, combined with flexible rates, proves that the WTT has taken on the challenge from recent developments, such as the Metropolitan or Saski Crescent. Although the CBD vacancy rates are close to 20 percent, and with the upcoming delivery of Rondo1 and Złote Tarasy, they are unlikely to fall, the WTT has demonstrated it is a force to be reckoned with.
Most recently, Apollo-Rida Poland announced the newest letting in the Warsaw Trade Tower to American Express Poland, the financial services and business travel services provider. American Express will occupy approximately 1,900 sqm of space located on two floors of the building.
When asked about the swift success of the Warsaw Trade Tower, Bartek Włodarski, VP - leasing and marketing division, explained that Apollo-Rida has taken a proactive, professional approach in marketing the opportunities that the building provides and has thus given another option to tenants looking for high-specification space in what is one of Warsaw's key landmark buildings.
"When we bought the building we knew that it was in the shadow of the Warsaw real-estate market because of its previous owner who did not conduct professional marketing in order to rent the space out," he said. "This was a little strange for us because we think the building is a world-class, high-standard product in terms of office space. But it is also proof of the fact that if you are dealing with unprofessional marketing, the product just doesn't sell."
When Apollo-Rida first took over the building it was essentially empty, with professional advisory firm KPMG on its way out as they were not certain what was going to happen to the building.
"When we bought the building KPMG extended the lease and increased the space they occupy to 7,200 sqm," said Włodarski. "We then applied the ABC of marketing by creating a team whose sole responsibility would be to market and lease the building. We entered the Warsaw office market aggressively-we cooperated with all the agencies on the market."
Although the initial plan of filling the building with one large tenant did not work out, the aggressive strategy paid off when WTT signed up several internationally recognized companies. With several other deals under its belt it was suddenly perceived as one of the most serious contenders on the local market.
The 39-floor giant offers floor plates ranging from 900 to 1,200 sqm, and can hardly be considered the right place for small start-ups. As a matter of fact, Włodarski admits that his ideal clients are large corporate tenants who are looking to lease at least one or two floors. Many of these large multinationals are currently located outside the CBD but, with tempting rates and a high-status location, the tables may turn soon enough.
"We've also noticed that the companies that we are looking at as potential tenants feel better in larger, high-spec buildings," Włodarski added.
With the upper edge over many central locations, namely its position on Towarowa, the building is close enough to the center but at the same time removed from Warsaw's most congested thoroughfares. This location, combined with flexible rates, proves that the WTT has taken on the challenge from recent developments, such as the Metropolitan or Saski Crescent. Although the CBD vacancy rates are close to 20 percent, and with the upcoming delivery of Rondo1 and Złote Tarasy, they are unlikely to fall, the WTT has demonstrated it is a force to be reckoned with.
